Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.81° S 173.11° E

Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 02 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay sea temperature is
10.1° C
1.1° 

Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 8,657 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period with SSE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay in the next 16 days are 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sun 2nd Aug)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 3rd Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 4th Aug)18ft (5.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, mate – Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s been cookin’ for this stretch.

We’ve got one spot on the radar: Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay. It’s a fairly consistent beginner-friendly break, exposed to swell, and it likes an ESE direction. The water’s sitting at 50°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nothing crazy, but a slight bump in comfort.

The week kicks off Sunday morning the 2nd with a solid 6ft SSE swell, period of 13 seconds, and clean surf thanks to a light cross-off breeze. The combined energy is strong (1176) – you’ll feel that push. This is a top pick: excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The swell size is over 5ft, so maybe not ideal for beginners, but for those with a few sessions under the belt, it’s clean and has some grunt.

Sunday afternoon drops a notch to 5ft from the SE, still clean, lighter energy (878). Monday morning the 3rd repeats that 5ft, this time from the SSW, with a light cross-off – still very good. But Monday afternoon the wind swings southerly and rips up to 22 mph, blowing cross-on. The swell jumps to 8ft, but the quality tanks – poor, lumpy, not worth paddling out. Tuesday the 4th is a write-off: 13-16ft of SSW swell with strong cross-shore winds gusting 25-28 mph. Messy, dangerous, totally unsurfable. Wednesday the 5th still has a 10ft S swell in the morning, but it’s too big for this break, even though the wind is light and cross. By afternoon it drops to 8ft, but the wind’s got a little chop on it – not great.

Thursday the 6th brings some relief: 5ft S swell, clean with a light cross-off. Nice and accessible for a range of surfers. Friday the 7th is a gem: 4ft S swell but with a very long 14-second period, clean and glassy with light winds. That kind of period means longer waits between sets, but the waves will have more shape and power – classic groundswell. Best for the point or reef setups, not a peaky beach break. Afternoon stays clean with 3ft. Saturday the 8th the swell dips to around 4-4ft, but the wind turns cross-shore and the quality drops – marginal.

Sunday the 9th is worth an early paddle: 2ft SSE at a very long 14 seconds, but then the wind goes dead calm – glassy perfection by afternoon, just 3ft. That’s a beautiful, quiet session. Monday the 10th stays glassy in the morning with 4ft SSE – another hidden winner. The rest of that week into the second week gets small and inconsistent. There’s a brief spike on Friday the 14th with a 7ft NE swell, but it’s short period (7 seconds) – weak energy (500), not much push or shape. Glassy conditions though, so if you’re desperate, it’s clean but weak.

From the 15th onward, it’s all small, inconsistent, and mostly poor. The swell drops under 3ft, winds are messy or onshore, and the energy readings are low – often under 400. Not worth the wetsuit.

No other breaks are in the picture, so this is a one-spot show. The standout window is definitely Sunday morning the 2nd for the bigger, clean SSE swell, and Sunday afternoon the 9th through Monday morning the 10th for that rare glassy, small-but-perfect vibe. If you’re after clean lines and no crowds, keep your eyes on the morning glass-offs later in the first week.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 3°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun morning, strong winds from the SW by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Thu afternoon, min 4°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
0
0
0
0
!
!
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SSE
13
1.4
SE
12
1.1
SE
12
1.4
SSW
12
2.5
SSW
14
4.5
SSW
11
5
SSW
12
4.5
SSW
12
3.5
S
12
3
S
11
2.5
S
11
2.1
SSE
10
1.4
S
10
1.3
SE
10
1.1
S
10
1.1
S
14
0.9
S
13
1.2
S
11
1.1
S
11
1.2
S
10
1
S
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
928
505
314
522
2847
4469
6274
5280
3549
2166
1612
901
369
341
231
485
263
363
269
284
180
Wind (km/h)
10
W
10
N
10
W
10
WNW
35
S
40
SW
40
SSW
45
SSW
30
SSW
10
SW
15
SW
15
SW
10
WSW
5
SSW
5
WNW
5
N
10
NNE
10
NNE
10
NE
10
NE
5
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
glassy
High Tide
6:35PM1.74m
6:55AM1.64m
7:18PM1.71m
7:42AM1.65m
8:05PM1.68m
8:34AM1.67m
8:58PM1.66m
9:32AM1.71m
9:56PM1.67m
10:33AM1.77m
10:57PM1.70m
11:34AM1.85m
11:57PM1.75m
Low Tide
12:25PM0.31m
00:56AM0.34m
1:12PM0.33m
1:40AM0.34m
2:01PM0.35m
2:28AM0.34m
2:54PM0.37m
3:19AM0.33m
3:51PM0.36m
4:14AM0.30m
4:50PM0.34m
5:11AM0.25m
5:49PM0.30m
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:39
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:33
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
 mm
1
9
4
1
Temp °C
11
11
9
13
10
7
5
6
6
6
6
5
6
7
4
6
7
6
9
9
7
Feels °C
8
7
5
9
2
0
-6
-5
-4
2
2
1
4
5
1
2
3
3
6
6
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Are you planning a holiday in Canterbury? If you are looking for accommodation near Banks Peninsula - Gough Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 46 km (29 miles) away.

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